NEW! The Lotus Sutra and Its Opening and Closing Sutras : A Beautiful Translation with Deep Love from a Lay Buddhist Practitioner

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Hailed as the King of all Sutras, the Lotus Sutra and its Opening and Closing Sutras are the most outstanding teachings expounded by Shakyamuni Buddha. This teaching encapsulates the heart and soul of the Buddha, for it reveals the Law of Lotus that enables all people to attain Buddhahood. In essence, the Lotus Sutra is a supreme teaching of Life. Original, distinctive and innovative, this is an extraordinary translation born out of true love and gratitude in the Buddha’s teaching. Here are the value-added features in terms of structure and style that make reading the Lotus Sutra a wonderfully enlightening experience:

1. Notation System

The notation system is a structure that empowers the readers in the assimilation of the essence of the Lotus Sutra. It is an excellent tool that facilitates meaningful flow of ideas in the Buddha’s teaching. In addition to the notation system, an overview summary on the categorization of key teachings has been included in each chapter as well.

2. Literary Devices

Poetry is an artistic expression of thoughts and emotions. Literary devices such as alliteration, assonance and rhyme system are weaved into the fabric of the translation, thus bringing forth the wisdom and compassion of the Buddha’s spirit elegantly. With a touch of poetic beauty in the Buddha’s words, the Lotus Sutra becomes a melodious voice resonating delightfully with the hearts of all readers.

The Lotus Sutra : A Beautiful Translation with Deep Love from a Lay Buddhist Practitioner

The Lotus Sutra – A Beautiful Translation with Deep Love from a Lay Buddhist Practitioner

The Lotus Sutra is celebrated as one of the most popular, if not the most outstanding sutras among the Mahayana teachings taught by Shakyamuni Buddha.

Hailed as the King of all Sutras, the Lotus Sutra is the supreme teaching about Life. It contains the secret essence of the Ultimate Truth of enlightenment, which is capable of leading all living beings in attaining Buddhahood.

It has the power to awaken our Buddha-nature within, so that we could bring forth our innate potential such as wisdom, courage, and compassion to achieve peace, happiness and prosperity in our lives.

This beautiful translation is original, distinctive and exceptional. It is not an ordinary translation; for it is an extraordinary expression of the profound gratitude, love and joy in the Law of Lotus, the Law of Life.

Here are some of the value-added features which have been incorporated to inspire the awareness and the joy of the Law of Lotus.

1. Notation System

Reading the Lotus Sutra could be overwhelming for beginners and seasoned practitioners alike. Hence, a notation system has been established to provide a structure in the categorization of key ideas.

Moreover, a summary has also been included in each chapter so as to give an overview before going further into the details. In short, the purpose of the notation system is to enrich the readers’ experience of appreciating the empowering teachings of the Buddha.

For example, the citation of LS 16: 3.23 denotes Lotus Sutra (LS), Chapter 16,Section 3, Paragraph 23. An example of a citation of a paragraph could be written as such:

“Every day, I am thinking:

‘How can I lead all living beings

to enter the unsurpassed Way

so as to quickly acquire the body of a Buddha?’”(LS 16:3.23)

2. Literary Devices

Poetry is a breezy balm capable of moving the deepest emotions in our hearts. For this reason, selective literary devices such as alliteration, assonance and rhyme system are weaved into the translation.

By injecting an element of poetic beauty to the Buddha’s words, it is hoped that the experience of discovering the timeless jewels in the Lotus Sutra will be more rewarding, inspiring and engaging.

An example of alliteration:

“We are your children, born from your sermon.

Pressing our palms and peering upward,

we wait and wish that

you could describe and depict the details for us

using your delicate and delightful voice!”(LS 2: 2.9)

Examples of the rhyme scheme:

“But as he aged and was debilitated,

his worry and longing for his son was aggravated.

Day and night, he ruminated:

‘My days are numbered,

but my ignorant son has deserted me

for over fifty years.

But what shall I do with

my storehouses full of treasures?’ (LS 4: 2.9)

“The poor son saw his father,

eminent and dignified in demeanor,

thinking that he must be a king

or the equivalent of an emperor.

Frightened and intimated, he blamed himself thereafter:

‘Why on earth am I here?’(LS 4.2.14)

” ‘Now all of you should advance!

This is only an imaginary city.

I saw that all of you were weary,

wanting to give up and turn back mid-journey,

hence I used the power of expedient strategy

to magically conjure a city temporarily.

Now you must diligently continue the journey

so as to reach our destination of treasures jointly!’(LS 7: 6.36)

“He is the pure ray of light, immaculate and spotless;

he is the sun of wisdom that banishes all darkness;

he could subdue disasters of wind and fire,

illuminating the worlds with splendid brightness.(LS 25: 2.19)

What are the Benefits of Reading the Lotus Sutra?

The Lotus Sutra is the ultimate teaching of Shakyamuni Buddha, hence it will bring immeasurable benefits for people who embrace and read the Lotus Sutra. Here are some of the benefits as cited in the Lotus Sutra itself:

1. Attaining Buddhahood

“Since all of you are awakened to the fact that

all Buddhas, the Teachers of the Worlds,

apply the expedient methods to teach the Law.

Have no further doubts and

let your hearts be filled with immense joy!

For you know you will also become Buddhas!” (LS 2: 5.100)

“Now, for you and the rest

I preach the Ultimate Truth—

none of you is shravaka

seeking to attain parinirvana.

All of you are actually pursuing

the way of a bodhisattva.

So long as you gradually learn and practice

in no time you will all become Buddhas!” (LS 5: 2.41)

“A person of wisdom should embrace the Lotus Sutra

upon hearing the merits

after my parinirvana.

People such as these

will definitely be able

to attain Buddhahood!” (LS 21: 2.13)

2. Develop Wisdom, Compassion and Merits

“Every day, I am thinking:

‘How can I lead all living beings

to enter the unsurpassed Way

so as to quickly acquire the body of a Buddha?’” (LS 16: 3.23)

“O Ajita! Again, if there are people who are able to understand the intricate meanings upon hearing the eternal lifespan of the Buddha, the merits they obtain will be infinite and they will be able to awaken to the unsurpassed wisdom of Tathagata. How much more so if they frequently hear the Lotus Sutra, teach others, embrace the sutra themselves or lead others to embrace, copy the sutra themselves or lead others to copy, present flowers, incense, necklaces, streamers, banners, silk canopies, fragrant oil, or butter oil lamps as offerings to the scrolls of sutras! The merits of these people will be immeasurably boundless and they will be able to acquire the perfect wisdom. (LS 16: 3.1)

3. Fulfilling of Dreams and Aspirations

“The Lotus Sutra is able to save all living beings. The Lotus Sutra is able to deliver all living beings from excruciating pains and bitter suffering. The Lotus Sutra is able to bring abundant benefits and blessings to all living beings, fulfilling all their desires, hopes, and dreams.” (LS 23: 2.9)

“O Universal Worthy! In future ages, those who accept, embrace, read, and recite the Lotus Sutra will not be greedy for clothing, bedding, food and drink, or any other daily necessities. Hence, all their wishes and prayers will be fulfilled and they will receive the rewards of great blessings and good fortune in their present lifetimes. (LS 28: 2.5)

Do you wish to receive bliss, blessings and bounty secretly hidden in the Lotus Sutra? The best way is to own a copy of this beautiful translation and read the Lotus Sutra everyday!

Without a doubt, this is my “new” favorite translation of the Lotus Sutra. How innovative…poetic…and so poignant! One can feel the “work of love” exuding from this Lay Practitioner’s translation like no other. Truly, it is a faith, practice, and study translation that will sit next to the writings of Nichiren Daishonin on my desk. Thank you Minerva T.Y. Lee! The blessings you shall reap from such Karma.! NMRK